LANSING, MI — The Michigan Employment Relations Commission plans to revisit the issue of university student research assistants’ ability to unionize in light of a recent court ruling that delays enactment of a law effectively banning such unionization.

The legislation came about after University of Michigan regents gave graduate research assistants the OK to start the union formation process. Gov. Rick Snyder signed the bill about 90 minutes before MERC was expected to discuss the university’s request.

The University of Michigan board of regents expressed support for the House Democrats' lawsuit.

House Republicans on Wednesday requested the Court of Appeals rule on the case by the end of business on Monday, the day before MERC is scheduled to meet. They called it a "frivolous" lawsuit and an “attack on the constitutional autonomy” of the House.

“I don’t know that there’s any definite decision that the commission is considering at this point,” said Lynn Morison, staff attorney for the state Bureau of Employment Relations.
The bureau is the support agency for the commission, a three-member board appointed by the Governor.

The lawsuit highlights contentious debate between House Republicans and Democrats over union issues and legislative process.

“My caucus has worked through every avenue to get the majority to recognize the rights of our constituents to fair representation under the Michigan Constitution. Again, it is unfortunate that it has taken legal action to get us to this point,” House Minority Leader Richard Hammel, D-Mt. Morris Township, said in a statement.